fisher



(No Model.)

A. II. FISHER.

FRICTION COMPRESSOR FOR DREDGING MACHINES, 820. No. 285,883. Patented Oct. 2, I888 WITNESSES:

N, PEI'ERS. Plmlo-Ulhugmpher, wan-mm". n. c

UNITED STATES PATENT Orricni ASAHEL H. FISHER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNO'R OF ONEHALF TO WVILLTAM G. TURNER, OF SAME PLACE.

FRICTION-COMPRESSOR FOR DREDGlNG-MACHINES, 800.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 285,883, dated October 2, 1883.

Application filed June 20,1883.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of adetached p0rtion thereof, enlarged.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the two figures.

My invention consists in providing the frictioncompressor for a dredging or hoisting machine, &c., with means, substantially as hereinafter set forth, whereby the friction required may be adj usted relatively to the work to be performed.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a friction-wheel, which is adapted to engage with the gear-wheel B, to which power is applied in any desired manner, the shaft 0 of said wheels being suitably mounted on a dredginginachine, boat, or other proper locality, the description of the invention being hereinafter limited to a dredging-machine. i

D represents a drum for the rope or chain of the dredging-machine, the same being fitted on the shaft 0, and having in contact with its hub a key, E, which is passed through a slot in said shaft, it being noticed that the drum is connected with the friction-wheel A, and is adaptedto slide therewith on the shaft 0.

Through the shaft 0, in thelongitudinal direction thereof, at the end opposite to the wheel 13, is passed a sliding rod, F, which bears against the key E, and has in contact with it a lever, G, the latter being connected with the stem H of a series of pistons, J J J, of different areas, the casing or cylinder K being correspondingly shaped and suitably supported, said cylinder having in its stea1nchest a series of ports, a a a, so disposed that there is one port for each piston. L represents the valve for said ports, the chamber (No model.)

L whereof is cast with or secured to the steanrchest, and has a steanrnozzle, Z, and exhaust-pipe o.

In dredging machines, when the loaded bucket or dipper is to be hoisted, the slack chain wound on the drum, or there are other manipulations requiring the operation of said drum, different degrees of friction of the wheels A B are desirable; hence for light work the small piston J, for heavy work all of the pistons J J J, and for intermediate work the pistons J J will receive the impact of steam, so that there may be gradations of the friction of the wheel A with the wheel B, and economy in the use of the steam.

It will be seen that when heavy work is required the valve L is turned as shown full in the drawings, whereby the several ports a a a are in communication with the steanrsupply, and steam is directed against all of the pistons simultaneously, whereby, by means of the drum D and parts intermediate .of the same and the stem H, the combined power of the pistons is exerted on the wheel A, the

"latter thus being forcibly held in contact or clutched with the gear or driving wheel B.

It is evident that the valve L may be turned to permit steam to enter the port a alone, so that steam may be directed only against the piston J for creating a moderate degree of friction between the wheels A and B for light work, and for somewhat heavier work both parts a a may be placed in communication with the steam-supply, so that power of the a steam is exerted simultaneously on the two pistons J J.

The valve L may be turned so as to cut off the entire supply of steam, thus relieving the wheel A and permitting the same to slip on the wheel B, and by proper operation of said valve the exhaust-pipe 0 may be placed in communication with some or all of" the ports, as required.

Having thus described my'invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a frictioncompressor, a cylinder provided with pistons of different areas, whereby the degree of friction maybe adjusted, substantially as described.

2. Ina friction-compressor, a friction-whee], in combination with a cylinder having a se ries of pistons of different areas and devices intermediate of said Wheel, and the stem of 5 said pistons for imparting the motion and power of the pistons to said Wheel, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. A friction-wheel, in combination with a cylinder having a series of pistons of di'flerent areas, a series of ports and a valve, and to devices intermediate of said wheel and the stem of the pistons for imparting the motions and power of the pistons to said wheel, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

ASAHEL H. FISHER. Witnesses:

F. A. OHURCHMAN, WM. 0. TURNER. 

